Thank you guys again for your answers and insight. I really appreciate all of you. I am pretty scared. My sweet children are my entire life, and I cannot believe I was so stupid to ever pick up a cig ever again! I hate myself for it. I know better. I am an educated person - I was a public school teacher- and I am already sick and fighting the odds with MS, so I could just cry forever for being so dumb. Loosing my only sister was absolute hell on earth and it broke my heart for a long time. It weakened my resolve and I gave in to the damn cigs. So regretful.
I am already scheduled to go to my GP tomorrow because my hair is falling out- I am serious. This is the second time this has happened! It also happened in 2009 right before I was dx with hypothyroid. I guess I will tell him this throat stuff. Are there any blood tests or things he could do to check this stuff out? I don't think there are but just thought I would ask.
I know I sound like a total wreck but you guys would never know I was sick to look at me.
Also, to KristenS who also homeschools- I would love to know more about you! THANK YOU for speaking to me! You obviously know the worry of having children whom you are not finished raising yet- and then having to deal with terrible illness. I deal with that already. I would love to know more about you, and your dx, and how you homeschool with all the other stresses in your life. I am grateful to you.
Christine, Paul, David, Susan-I am also extremely grateful to you for responding with such great info and wisdom. I am sure each of you have been through your own hell and I appreciate and value any time you give to me on here. I would like to know more about your stories too. Thank you so much.
One more question, if ya'll don't mind- I do have a hopeful thought and want to run it by you all- here it is: My nose is always runny. Sounds weird but I am thinking, praying, and hoping that it means that I just have lots of fluid in my sinuses and its draining on back of my throat, too. Maybe?? Surely a runny nose is NOT a sign of OC- right?? I have no idea but as I was blowing my nose tonight- as I do all of the time for years now- it occurred to me that a runny nose could be my signal of blocked sinuses- and that would cause my squeaky ear and throat pain? I may be reaching here. Hope is much needed. I don't think my kids or my parents can take much more loss or sorrow.
Sorry for talking so much. I am terrified, honestly.
I already really like you guys. THANK YOU and GOD BLESS and HEAL each of you!!
Ellen